Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Subscribe to the MPR News with Kerri Miller podcast


A few months ago, very few people in the U.S. had heard of the Zika virus. Now, reports on the virus's potential effects for pregnant women are filling headlines around the world. 

WHO warns of Zika's 'alarming' and 'explosive' spread

What's the best way to keep mosquitoes from biting?


Two health experts joined MPR News host Kerri Miller to address the public's most pressing questions. 

, co-director of the Georgetown Center for Infectious disease, and 

, associate professor of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, joined MPR News host Kerri Miller. 

To hear the full discussion of the Zika virus, including how the virus is spread and how climate change may play a role, use the audio player above.


Research on the Zika virus has only recently kicked into high gear, even though the virus was first identified in the 1940s. 


"Best case scenario: 10 years out for a clinically viable vaccine," Roepe said. "We'll see some science in the next several years ... but actually getting it into the clinic will take a little longer than that." 

"The best we know, children are no more and no less susceptible to Zika infection or the consequences of the symptoms than non-pregnant adults," Roepe said.

Some travelers with airplane tickets booked for places where the Zika virus is spreading have expressed concerns. Roepe said, for non-pregnant adults, the virus shouldn't dissuade travelers any more than other viruses do. 

"If you weren't going to compromise your travel plans based on Dengue fever or other things we're talking about, then I'm not sure the addition of Zika is going to change that. That would just be my feeling," Roepe said.

Is the Zika virus the cause of microcephaly in babies?

Studies are still under way to find a concrete link between the virus and microcephaly, the birth defect featured in much of the Zika news coverage. But microcephaly can be caused by other factors.

"There were 2,500 cases of microcephaly in the U.S. in 2015, and we don't have Zika transmission on our shores yet. The most common causes in the U.S. are other viruses," Roepe said. "You can cause microcephaly with excessive alcohol exposure and other toxins and drugs, and so on. So it's not just Zika virus that causes microcephaly."

Health

Shows

Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Kerri Miller Feature

MPR News Staff

Author

Two experts answer pressing questions about the virus that's been making headlines.

Two experts explain everything you need to know about the Zika virus: How the disease is spread? What are its effects? Have there been proven links between Zika and microcephaly and Guillian-Barre syndrome? Paul Roepe, co-director of the Georgetown Center for Infectious disease, and Kristy Murray, associate professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, joined MPR News host Kerri Miller.

From A to Zika: What you need to know about the virus

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox